FG Set To Partner With China To Secure Nigeria From Bandits, Terrorists, Others
China is set to play a big role in helping Nigeria solve insecurity – This follows the decision of the federal government to partner with the country.
Meanwhile, Mohammad Maigari Dingyadi, assured the Chinese that the government is doing everything possible to make life easy for Nigerians.
The federal government of Nigeria has reached out to China over the insecurity situation in the country. According to the minister of police Affairs, Mohammad Maigari Dingyadi, Nigeria is ready to partner with China to enhance the security of the country.
He stated this during a courtesy visit by the Chinese Ambassador to Nigeria, His Excellency, Cui Jianchun to the Ministry Headquarters in Abuja. Nigeria says it is ready to partner with China to solve the country’s insecurity.
In a statement made available to Legit.ng, the minister said as a result of Nigeria’s security situation, there is a need to work with the Asian country.
The minister said with the support of international communities, Nigeria should be able to solve these problems. Meanwhile, the minister lamented the poverty and unemployment situation facing the country. He said the FG is doing everything to solve them. According to him, the government has initiated several initiatives for the youths to create opportunities for youths.
Ebonyi has imposed a curfew from 8 pm to 6 am at all entry and exit points with neighbouring states.
It also banned all social events such as wake keeping and nightclubbing from 6 pm, warning defaulters will be fined N1m.
Governor David Umahi announced the order on Wednesday while briefing reporters after the state Executive Council meeting.
He also ordered all native doctors to register with security agencies in the state immediately.
The Governor also ordered traditional medicine dealers to register with the Ministry of Health.
He warned anybody who fails to adhere to the directive will be prosecuted.
Umahi exonerated the security arm of the proscribed secessionist group Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Eastern Security Network, from the recent attacks on security agencies in the state.
The Governor lamented fake news purveyors were complicating the scenery challenges by spreading fake news through social media.
He directed security agencies to henceforth arrest and prosecute anybody spreading fake news capable of causing a crisis on social media.
He said: “We have agreed that all native doctors in the state and traditional medicine dealers must within seven days today register with the Commissioner for Border Peace, with the Commissioner for health and with the CP.
“There will be an executive order to this event and anyone that is caught doing otherwise will be arrested and will be prosecuted.
“We are aware there are some killings over the weekend; a policeman was killed, two army men were killed and I think one civilian and their killers are pure bandits.
“They do this killing and put it in social media that they are members of IPOB or ESN.
“Without standing for either IPOB or ESN but they continue to deny that they are not into violence but for me, criminality is criminality and I have directed security agencies to crack down on all criminal activities in the state.
“And for those who did the killings, the security agencies must bring them to book within 72 hours, they must do that.”
Vice President Yemi Osinbajo says Nigeria cannot afford another civil war because it will not augur well for the country.
Osinbajo said this at an interactive forum of All Progressives Congress Anambra governorship aspirants organised by the state chapter of APC Patriots in Abuja.
“The thing about the kind of conflict in this part of the world, developing countries, is that it is usually a war without end.
“Everyone who thinks he has some monies stored up somewhere will eventually run out of money.
“Everyone who thinks he can go and hide somewhere, won`t even find a place to hide, in the end, everyone will suffer.
“Even if you don’t suffer, parents, children, young and old people, and relations will suffer. We cannot afford another civil war in this country, we can`t afford it,” he said.
Osinbajo said the political elite must rise up to the challenge by speaking the truth and taking action to address the situation in the country.
“I pray that our country will never know conflict, but I know that every conflict is as a result of elite failure to speak up the truth and tell the truth to their communities.
“At the end of the day, it is the political elite that determines what happens in every society, keeping quiet could lead to a more dangerous situation,” he said.
The Vice President said that the elite could make a great difference just by the words they speak.
“If we don`t speak up against disunity, if we keep quiet and remain under the radar, the enemies of peace and those who want to promote disunity will have their ways.
“And when this happens, we will find ourselves running helter-skelter,’’ Osinbajo said.
He, therefore, urged the political elite in the country to always speak up and stand for the interest of the country and the general public.
Osinbajo assured the APC aspirants that the leadership of the party would ensure a level-playing field for them at the primary election slated for June to ensure that the best aspirant emerged as the candidate.
He, however, charged them to work in unity and commitment to the party.
“No one politician can win an election all by himself. I also want to advise you against the winner takes all syndrome,” he said.
A Reverend Father In charge of one Owerri Catholic Parish have stated during his Sunday sermon that Nigeria Is in a serious coma with dried oxygen.
In a sermon tagged “GOOD SHEPHERD” noted that in Nigeria bad leadership have been the main problem that must be addressed. According to him, he said “Nigeria as a country are in a serious coma with oxygen, the gas have have dried up, they keep on refilling the gas and the gas keep on drying up each time. Who is drinking up the gas, he queried?
“It is only in this country that if anything happens, the president will run away. Who is he leaving the country for?
“Boko-Haram, Fulani Herdsmen, Bandits are Killing people everyday
“Go to Enugu, they’re living in fear, here in Imo State, everyone is afraid, no one is safe anymore. We must pray against war.
“We must pray for our Leaders because, they are under captivity, we must pray for them to be example of a good shepherd”, he said.
The Imo state governor, Hope Uzodimma‘s house at his hometown in Omuma, Oru East local government area of Imo state, on Saturday morning was attacked and set ablaze by suspected hoodlums in black and black attire.
Vanguard in Owerri monitored the attack which saw sympathizers, villagers struggled to extinguish the fire.
As of the time of filing this report, many of which was said to be official vehicles were inflame as the suspected lifeless body was lying in front of the governor’s house. Just as part of the building was also inflame.
President Muhammadu Buhari has reacted to the backlash against Isa Pantami, the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy.
Buhari declared his support for Pantami amid the backlash from Nigerians.
Pantami was recently linked to terrorists’ organisations like Al-Qaeda and Taliban due to his past radical preachings.
Following the emergence of his past, Nigerians have been calling for his sack and prosecution.
Pantami, however, distanced himself from such extremist groups.
He also admitted making such controversial comments but claimed his perception has changed.
Responding, Buhari berated Nigerians for their harsh disposition towards Pantami and some public officials.
He stated this in a statement signed by his spokesman, Garba Shehu.
The statement reads: “Today, there is an unfortunate fashion in public discourse that makes leaders in politics, religion, and civil society liable in the present for every statement they have ever made in the past – no matter how long ago, and even after they have later rejected them.
“This insidious phenomenon seeks to cancel the careers of others on the basis of a thing they have said, regardless of when they said it.
“The Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Dr Isa Ali Ibrahim Pantami is, currently, subject to a “cancel campaign” instigated by those who seek his removal. They do not really care what he may or may not have said some 20 years ago: that is merely the instrument they are using to attempt to “cancel” him. But they will profit should he be stopped from making decisions that improve the lives of everyday Nigerians.
“The Minister has, rightly, apologized for what he said in the early 2000s. The views were absolutely unacceptable then, and would be equally unacceptable today, were he to repeat them. But he will not repeat them – for he has publicly and permanently condemned his earlier utterances as wrong.
“In the 2000s, the Minister was a man in his twenties; next year he will be 50. Time has passed, and people and their opinions – often rightly – change.
“But all discerning Nigerians know this manufactured dispute is nothing to do with the Minister’s prior words, but solely concern his actions in the present.
“This Administration is committed to improving the lives of all Nigerians – and that includes ensuring they are not over-charged or under-protected for those services on which modern life depends.
“The Minister has been leading the charge against illegal data deductions and pricing; he has revolutionized the government’s virtual public engagement to respond to COVID-19 and save taxpayers’ money; he has established ICT start-up centres to boost youth entrepreneurship and create jobs; he has changed policy to ensure locally produced ICT content is used by ministries, starting with his own; and he has deregistered some 9.2 million SIMs – ending the ability for criminals and terrorists to flagrantly use mobile networks undetected. In two short years, Minister Pantami has driven the contribution of the ICT sector to the GDP to more than 18 percent, making it one of the top two playing a critical role in the emergence of the economy from the COVID 19-induced recession.
“In putting people first, the Minister and this administration have made enemies. There are those in the opposition who see success and want it halted by any means. And there is now well-reported information that alleges newspaper editors rebuffed an attempt to financially induce them to run a smear campaign against the minister by some ICT companies, many of which do indeed stand to lose financially through lower prices and greater consumer protections. The government is now investigating the veracity behind these claims of attempted inducement, and – should they be found to hold credence – police and judicial action must be expected.
“The Administration stands behind Minister Pantami and all Nigerian citizens to ensure they receive fair treatment, fair prices, and fair protection in ICT services.”
The Arewa Youth Consultative Forum, AYCF, has said that the leaders of the Southeast must ensure sanity within their region before negotiating for presidency in 2023.
AYCF National President, Yerima Shettima made the remark in response to comments by Ohanaeze Ndigbo, apex Igbo socio-political Organisation that they would reach out to other regions to allow the Southeast produce Nigeria’s President in 2023.
Speaking with DAILY POST, Shettima said it would be difficult to trust the Southeast with power amid the call for Nigeria’s breakup by groups and individuals from the region.
Recall that the President-General of Ohanaeze, George Obiozor, had said 2023 was the turn of the Southeast to produce Nigeria’s president.
Obiozor had disclosed that the South-East would negotiate with other regions to allow for an Igbo presidency in 2023.
But Shettima said Nigerians would not deprive them such an opportunity if Southeast leaders deal with Igbo descents calling for Nigeria’s breakup.
He said: “If Ohanaeze says they will negotiate, then that is a bit of politics but unfortunately for them, they need to ensure sanity in their region first.
“Nobody will deprive them the opportunity to produce the president being a Nigerian but not when they have one of their own threatening the corporate existence of our nation, Nigeria.
“They have not taken any decisive step to condemn the action and inactions of those criminally minded people, but expect Nigerians to entrust them with power.
“It will be difficult to entrust them with power, it’s better for them to ensure sanity in their home before coming to the table to discuss with those on top so people can say they have shown commitment and not by threats and intimidations, those days are over.”
Ohaneze Ndigbo has made shocking revelations about the height of insecurity in the south east during am interview with vanguard news.
The president General of Ohaneze Ndigbo revealed the difference between ESN and Ebubeagu security outfit and he equally told igbos the one to support.
According to Ohaneze Ndigbo, the recent attacks on public properties and police stations in the south East is not done by igbos, IPOB or ESN. Ohaneze. Ohaneze believe it was done by those who do not want Igbos to produce the next president of Nigeria. ” There is now possibility of igbo presidency so they want turn our environments to terrorists area and declare state of emergency so that no one will come out to vote” .
Before now there has been rumor spreading that it was members of ESN that that were responsible for the attacks on police stations in the south east but now Obiozor the president of Ohaneze Ndigbo has opened our eyes to another posibility though he didn’ t mention the names of thone trying to convert south east to terrorists environment. Could there be truth in what he is saying?
Obiozor was asked about the comparison between ESN and Ebubeagu and he said the two are not the same.
” The governors are the chief security officers in there various states and any group they establish for security is the authentic one. No other group or organization can compare itself with government constituted outfit.
When asked about the activities of IPOB Obiozor said ” IPOB is our children and they must listen to us as we listen to them. we can’ t deny them because they are part of us but they shouldn’ t do anything that will harm the igbos and put us in war. “
Obiozor said any group is welcomed as long as they are fighting for the peace and progress in the region and must be under Ebubeagu because it’ s the highest in hierarchy
The federal government has advised the UK to rescind its plan to grant asylum to IPOB members – Lai Mohammed, minister of information and culture, explains why FG is opposed to the new UK policy – The asylum to IPOB members may strain relations between the Nigerian and the UK government
The Nigerian government said it is opposed to the reported plan by the UK to grant asylum to members of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB). Lai Mohammed, minister of information and culture, on Tuesday, April 20, in Abuja described the decision by the UK government as sabotaging the fight against terrorism in Nigeria, The Cable reported. Lai Mohammed said Biafra agitators are secessionists.
Commenting at a forum organised by NAN, he said: “Let me say straightaway that this issue is within the purview of the honourable minister of foreign affairs and I am sure he will handle it appropriately.
“But as the spokesman for the federal government of Nigeria, I will say that if indeed the report that the UK will grant asylum to supposedly persecuted IPOB and MASSOB members is true, then something is wrong somewhere.” The minister stated that IPOB has been proscribed and designated as a terrorist organisation in Nigeria. Mohammed stated any asylum awarded to members of the group would be a disrespect to Nigeria, The Punch reported. He said: ”The decision amounts to sabotaging the fight against terrorism and generally undermining Nigeria’s security. “It is not only unconscionable, it is inexplicable. “For the UK to choose this time to give succour to IPOB beggars belief and calls to question the UK’s real intention. The minister said IPOB is alleged to be behind the recent attacks in the south-east despite denials by the group.
FG says agitators will flee from Nigeria when crisis erupts He said what the UK has done is like Nigeria offering asylum to members of the IRA before the 1998 Good Friday Peace Agreement. The minister’s comments came after UK Visas and Immigration had released new guidelines to its decision-makers on how to consider and grant asylum applications by members of Biafran secessionist groups. Meanwhile, the minister of police affairs, Maigari Dingyadi, has directed the police force to neutralise perpetrators of violence in the southeast and elsewhere in Nigeria. Dingyadi on Monday, April 19, disclosed that he has directed an intelligence-led kinetic operational against the culprits attacking police formations.
• Says constitution doesn’t recognise two parliaments
Buhari
The Presidency again, on Tuesday, foreclosed a national conference of the federating states in the country.
Speaking at a forum of All Progressives Congress Professionals Forum held at the party national secretariat, Senior Special Assistant, Media and Publicity to the President, Mallam Garba Shehu, said no one would bully President Muhammadu Buhari to convene a gathering of ethnic groups in the country.
In the vanguard of the agitation for a national conference are the Yoruba socio-cultural organisation, Afenifere, its counterpart in the South-East, Ohanaeze Ndi’gbo, and the Middle Belt Forum.
Mallam Shehu asked those canvassing for a new Constitution to avail themselves the opportunity provided by the Constitution Review Committee set up by the National Assembly.
He declared that it is the National Assembly that is statutorily vested with the powers to amend the Constitution.
He said: “Yes, there are problems and we are hoping that as people united and loving of one another, we will come together and solve our problems and that leads me to the question, whether there should be National Conference?
“What National Conference? Do you have more than a parliament? Anyone who is a democrat in heart, in practice in their beliefs they should believe in the tripartite structure of government. Governments that are democratic, there is a parliament, the executive arm of the government and the judiciary, each one being independent and cooperating with the other. We have an elected parliament, which has a mandate as the custodian of the sovereignty of the Nigerian people.
“Look, a lot of these people were crying for this secession, they are unelectable. “If you think you are electable go around for a parliamentary seat whether House of Representatives or Senate and come and table an amendment for the Constitution.
“The process is ongoing as we speak now under the Deputy Senate President. They are calling for Memoranda, why can’t you present what you want? So the issue is that people who are not democrats want a parallel parliament to be set up and this Constitution does not recognise two parliaments in this country. We have one parliament that is sovereign, that is the custodian of the sovereignty of the Nigerian people.
“If your member representing you has failed to present this request that you want whether it is a change of the structure at state, local government or national level pull him out four years after, don’t vote for him. Put another representative who will do what you want. This is how democracy works, periodic elections.”
On the demand for the Balkanisation of the country in certain quarters, the Presidential spokesman said President Buhari would not be cowed to take action which could be detrimental to the corporate existence of the nation. He also noted that credible voices and state actors where proponents of secession are resident are against the agitation.
“Look, one thing with this President and the national secretary has said a bit of that, you can’t intimidate Buhari. You can’t bully him. A lot of these people who are calling for secessions are the problem of this country and I’m happy that reasonable voices are now rising. Is it not only yesterday we are reading Afenifere, the most credible faction of Afenifere saying we are not for secession?
The Ohanaeze Ndi’gbo said this over and over again. So this thing about secession is, they had used it in the past. The Governors in the South-West, we have all heard them, they have denounced all of these things. So it’s a sham, Nigerians want to be one, they want to continue.”
Earlier in his remarks, National Secretary of the APC Caretaker and Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee, Senator John Akpanudoedehe, said no administration has surpassed the Buhari administration in terms of commitment to the needs of Nigerians.
“There has never been a government like this in the history of the nation. And I am not playing politics. Show me any government that has done much than President Buhari that has a direct link with the masses.
“Everywhere in Nigeria, people are having access. The president has thrown his door open for everybody. It doesn’t matter which party you belong to. In the days of PDP, it was not so. It is either PDP or nothing. The President allows everyone to key into his program. As I am talking with you now, people are collecting loans and COVID-19 palliative. Go to the Ministry of Labour and you will find people collecting 450,000 to N1 million. And they are not saying anything.
“Nigerians are enjoying the program. And he is a listening President. We thank you the professionals. In the face of difficulties, frustration and in all, you still stand with the party. You still defend the President. Most of the defence in Twitter by you, I have seen them. You are not selfish. There is nothing you do in this life that the reward is not there. ”
BT Afrika 